When it comes to celebrating the most wonderful time of the year, travelers often seek to visit seasonal destinations in order to feel festive. That could mean a trip to Santa Claus, Indiana, known as “America’s Christmas Hometown,” or to Rockefeller Center in New York City, housing one of the most breathtaking Christmas trees in the world. Consideration should also be given to the “Christmas tree capital of the world,” but there’s a friendly battle amongst a few U.S. locales for that title, including one town in Oregon between Portland and Salem: Estacada.
In fact, Estacada, a century-old timber town and birthplace of geocaching (located just 35 miles outside of Portland and 53 miles from the state capital of Salem), has long proclaimed itself as the “Christmas Tree Capital of the World.” One reason for this is its location inside Mount Hood National Forest and along the Clackamas River, which is full of fir and pine trees. On top of that, this small town produces around 2.9 million Christmas trees a year.
One of Estacada’s main rivals for Christmas tree fame is Indiana County, Pennsylvania, which first claimed the title in 1956, when more than 700,000 trees were cut. Indiana County has a longstanding history of Christmas tree farms, having been home to some of the first in the nation. Today, more than 31,577 acres in Pennsylvania are used for Christmas tree plantations. However, Oregon produces more than 33% of American Christmas trees. This helps make the case that an Oregon town, like Estacada, should be the main contender for the title. But no matter which place is the true Christmas tree capital for you, Estacada remains a great destination to visit to enjoy festive holiday events, and of course, plenty of Christmas trees.
How to visit Estacada’s Christmas tree farm and enjoy the holiday season
Visit the 57-acre Hughes Family Tree Farm to shop for a Christmas tree while in Estacada. The farm starts selling trees in mid-November and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Rides are provided to and from the tree fields, and if you choose to cut your own, knee pads and saws are available. Or you can have the staff cut it for you. While on the farm, you can sip on complimentary hot cocoa or cider with local baked goods and explore the wreaths and other decor for sale. The farm welcomes all family members, including leashed dogs, and encourages using their property for festive holiday photos…